We check in with people at each stage of the cash transfer process to see how things are going. Take a look at some of their stories as they appear here in real-time.
Learn more about how recipients opt in to share their stories.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
While I was alone on the farm preparing the land, a notification popped up on my phone. It was from GiveDirectly, and they had sent me $180. I felt a wave of happiness and gratitude to God, as well as to GiveDirectly, especially since I had many pressing issues to address. My first thought was to rush home to inform my husband so we could plan together.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
GiveDirectly has made a big difference in my life, especially in the areas of education, housing, and income generation. The biggest impact has been on my daughter’s education. Before receiving the transfers, she had an outstanding school fees balance that would have interrupted her studies. Thanks to GiveDirectly, I was able to clear the balance, and since then, she hasn’t missed a day of school. I’m hopeful that she will do well in the upcoming national exams.
The second difference is in housing. With the money from GiveDirectly, I have been able to buy construction materials to build a new house. Our current house is small and old, and it puts us at risk, especially during floods. The new house will provide us with more space and safety.
The third major difference is in income generation. Before GiveDirectly, I struggled to meet our daily needs, but now I have a steady income from my home garden. I planted kales, which I sell weekly, and this extra income allows me to comfortably meet my household’s daily needs.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Recently, after receiving $180 from GiveDirectly, my husband and I had many pressing issues to address, so we sat down together to plan. One of our main concerns was our daughter, who is in form four. I didn't want her studies interrupted, especially since it was her final term, so I took $50 from the transfer to clear her school fees balance. This ensured that she could stay in school and focus on her studies, which is crucial as she prepares for the upcoming national exam. I am hopeful that she will perform well.
With the school fees settled, we focused on our housing situation. We live in a small, old house that doesn’t meet our needs, and it's also at risk of flooding if the rains come again. I used $120 from the transfer to buy construction materials, including iron sheets and frames, with the hope of completing the construction with future transfers. This will give my family a safer and more spacious home, away from the threat of floods.
I used the remaining money to buy kale seeds for my home garden. The kales have since matured, helping to meet my family’s food needs, and I can also sell some to cover other household expenses. This support from GiveDirectly has made a real difference in addressing our most urgent needs
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What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Living in a one-room iron sheet house that is on the verge of falling apart is incredibly challenging, especially during the rainy season when the roof leaks and exposes my family to illnesses like colds and pneumonia. I have been longing to build a decent shelter for my family of six, but financial constraints have prevented me from doing so. I am hopeful though, as I anticipate receiving some transfers from GiveDirectly .With these funds, I plan to spend $600 towards constructing a one-roomed house that will provide us with a decent and safe shelter. Additionally, I intend to use $300 to clear school fees arrears for my daughter in grade 11. This will allow her to focus on her studies without the worry of outstanding fees, and it will free up time for me to concentrate on income-generating activities and other family responsibilities that require financial attention. These plans give me hope for improving our living conditions and ensuring a better future for my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Living from hand to mouth can indeed be very stressful, especially since casual jobs are unreliable and scarce. As a family of six dependent solely on these jobs, there is always uncertainty about whether we will have work tomorrow. Despite these challenges, I am grateful that I have always managed to find some form of employment to earn income and purchase food for our household. It is a relief that, despite the economic hardships in Kenya, we have never had to go without food. That is something I am thankful for every day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Facing financial constraints is really challenging for me right now. Here in Longewan, farming relies heavily on irrigation, which requires funds for essentials like a water pump and fuel. Unfortunately, I could not afford these necessities, so I had to lease out my 0.5 acres of land to my neighbor instead of cultivating it myself. If I had the financial means, I could cultivate that land and generate profits to support my family of six, helping us escape poverty and reducing our reliance on unreliable casual jobs. It is a difficult situation, but I am hopeful that I can find a way to secure the resources needed to get back to farming and improve our circumstances.
